CS 71 
.G465 
1902 
Copy 1 



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V 
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ONE OF FHE 



(jilbert Familvof New Eiiiilcind 



Ancestry of Sarah Rebecca (Gilbert) Bloss, (wife of 

John B. Bloss, of Washington, D. C), Eighth 

IN Descent from Jonathan (jIlbert, 

OF Hartford, Conn. 






The larger part of the following information was obtained by MR. 

HOMER W. BRAINARD, of Hartford, Conn., after a search through the 
II 

early records of Hartford, Hebron, Bolton, and Colchester, Conn. 



WASHINCiTOX, I). C. 

JIDD vV DET\VKI1,EK, PKINTERS. 

1902. 



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1 



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The Gilbert Family of New England* 



About 1645 there were five OillxMts in Hartford, Connecticut, 
or in that vicinity — Thomas, of Windsor, later of Springfield; 
John and Jonathan, of Hartford ; Josiah, of Wethersfield, and 
Obadiah, of Fairfield. There is no documentary proof that 
they were brothers (but a descendant from Jonathan always 
said they were brothers and came over together). It is highly 
probable that they were descendants of a branch from the Gil- 
berts of Devonshire, Ivngland, but the exact pedigree is not 
known. 

Jonathan Gilbert in 1645, being about 27 years old, was a 
bachelor and land-holder in Hartford, and married Mary, 
daughter of Elder John White. Jonathan Gilbert was well 
acquainted with the Indian tongues, and often acted as inter- 
preter between them and the English government, rendering 
important .service by his facility in the language and his reso- 
lute bravery. He was generally .selected as the leader in 
emergencies of danger and importance. He was a man of 
business, of respectability and enterpri.se, engaged in the trade 
and coasting business of the young colonies, pos.sessed of great 
wealth for the day, collector of customs at Hartford, marshal 
of the colony — an office corresponding to that of high sherifT — 
a deputy to the General Court. He acquired large tracts of 
land in the different settlements, which he subsequently divided 
among his children. In 1646 he was engaged in difficult nego- 
tiations with Uncas and other Indian chiefs, who were at that 
time threatening the colonists. The records of the Connnis- 
sioners of the United Colonies show that he was a most valued 
envoy during the troublous years 1 653-' 57. In March, 1657- 
'58, he was one of a troup of cavalry under command of Major 
John Mason. 

Jonathan Gilbert during this time was actively pursuing his 
private enterprises. He may have temporarily resided at 

(3) 



Westfield, Mass. (" Wonioco "), where he had grants of land. 
In 1 66 1 he received a grant of 300 acres of upland and 50 
acres of meadow from the General Court of Connecticut. 

His wife Mary (White) died in 1650. 

He married, second, Mary, daughter of Hugh Wells, one 
of the founders of Hartford, who removed to Hadley about 
1650. She was a niece of Governor Thomas Wells. He was 
peculiarly fortunate in his second wife, who was remarkable 
for her prudence and energy, which contributed greatly to his 
success, and who was honored in the lives of her children. 
He died December 10, 1682, aged 64, and his second wife died 
July 3, 1700, aged 74. They lie side by side in the ancient 
burial place at Hartford. 

His will is found in vol. iv of the Hartford Probate Records, 
and is printed in full by Thornton in the New England Genea- 
logical Register, vol. iv, 1850, p. 339. I give here abstracts 
only: 

" To my dear & loving wife Mary Gilbert, the use of my 
dwelling house, homelotes, orchards. Gardens, Barn, Barn- 
yards, outhouses, warehouse, that part of my Island above 
that which Is commonly known by the name of the Dutch 
Island all northward, as also that little land I bought of Mr. 
Callsey, as also that land I did exchange with Mr. James 
Richards, as also that pasture I bought of Andrew Warner, 
also my wood lot on the west side of Rocky Hill, during her 
widowhood, and till my son Samuel shall attain to the age of 
Twenty one years" and then "it is my wish that she shall 
peaceably surrender unto Samuel his quiet possession the 
aforesaid house and lands, save only what is here excepted, 
viz. the seller, great kitchen, & all the chambers over it & garret 
over the said kitchen, & half my warehouse, that is to say, 
the South end seller & room over the seller, and half my house 
lott, the East end of it. & half my barn & half my barnyard, 
for her use with also full use of water both in the well & pond 
on the lot without any interruption during her natural life & 
then immediately after her decease all the aforesaid housing and 
land I give to my son Samuel Gilbert & his heirs forever, he 
paying to his brother Ebenezer Gilbert Thirty pounds in 
Countrj^ pay. 



" Item : T ^'we to my son Jonallian Gilbert one half of the 
lands in the bounds of Haddam that I bought of Mr. James 
Bates (S: Thomas Shaylor, or twenty pounds in other estates 
which he the said Jonathan shall choose which is the com- 
pleting of his portion to what I have done for him already." 

The will mentions further my son Thomas Gilbert, son Na- 
thaniel Gilbert, daughters Lydia Richelson, Sarah Belcher, 
Mary Holton, Hester Gilbert, Rachel Gilbert, and son Eb- 
enezer Gilbert, grandchildren John Rossiter, Andrew Belcher, 
Jonathan Richelson. Dated Sept. lo, 1674. 

Inventory, taken Feb. 12, i682-'3 was ^^248^, 17 shil. 9d. 
Debts cash, ^113.0 3d. Country pay ,^68, 14.6, Real estate 

I have written of Jonathan Gilbert's land at Cold Spring, 
and of his having a grant there of 350 acres of land from the 
General Court. This was near Lamentation Hills, now in 
Berlin and Meriden, Conn. Another tract, of 300 acres, in 
the same locality was sold to Gilbert by Capt. Daniel Clark. 
The whole 650 acres came into possession bj' purchase of Mr. 
Andrew Belcher, of Boston, Gilbert's son-in-law. It was 
afterward confirmed to him by the court, and was long known 
as Belcher's Farm. It was the beginning of the settlement 
later known as Meriden, although this name occurs, as early 
as 1674, in Gilbert's will. Gilbert's son Ebenezer settled in 
Great Swamp Parish, now known as Kensington, on lands he 
received by his father's will. This was but a short distance 
from Meriden. These lands were in the towai of Farmington 
at the time Jonathan' Gilbert was living. 

Jonathan Gilbert was the chief inn-holder of Hartford, and 
in his house the General Court usually met, when in Hartford, 
when they did not sit at the meeting-house. Mrs. Mary Gil- 
bert conducted the inn for many years after her husband's 
death. The will of Mrs. Mary Gilbert is dated May 23, 1700, 
and mentions " my son Thomas Gilbert, my son Samuel Gil- 
bert, son Kbenezer Gilbert ; my grandson Thomas Dickenson, 
son-in-law Charles Dickenson ; daughters Lydia Chapman, 
Rachel Marshfield, and children of Sarah Belcher, my dau'r, 
deceased ; the .sons of my late grandson, Jonathan Richelson, 
deceased." The inventory was ;i^562.r3.7. 



. 



(i 

Children of Jonathan' Gilbert : 

By wife, Mar}^ White, who d. 1650 (they were married 
Jan. 29, i645-'6)— 

. — i. Jonathan^, b. May 11, 1648. 

ii. Mary'^, bapt. Dec. 17, 1649 ; m. (i) John Rossiter, (2) Samuel Holton. 

By wife Mary Wells, b. 1626, d. July 3, 170c — 

iii. Sarah^ b. July 25, 1651 ; m. July 25, 1670, Capt. Andrew Belcher, of 
iJoston. 

iv. Lydia^ b. Oct. 3, 1654; m. (i) Jonathan Richardson, of Stoning- 
ton, (2) Chapman. - S^e^V-evi 

V. NathauieP ; d. unmarried. 

vi. Thomas'; of Boston; m. (i) L3'dia Ballett, (2) Mrs. Mary Trow- 
bridge. 
___ vii. SamueF, b. 1663 ; m. Mary Rogers. 

viii. Ebenezer^, b. ; m. . 

ix. Rachel- ; m. Sept. 22, 1686, Josiah Marshfield. 

X. Hester^ ; m. Charles Dickenson. 

Jonathan' Gilbert (Jonathan'), b. May 11, 1648, in Hart- 
ford; d. Feb. I, 1698, in Middletown, Conn.; m. June 22 
(date gone, probably 1679). Dorathy Stow, b. Aug. i, 1659, 
in Middletown, Ct. (perhaps in Charlestown, Mass.), dau. 
of Rev. Samuel and Hope (Fletcher) Stow, of Middletown, 
Ct. Hope was dau. of Mr. William Fletcher. Mrs. Dorathy 
Gilbert d. July 14, 1699, in Middletown. 

Jonathan was somewhat erratic in his j-outh, and by his 
father's will, written in 1674, Jonathan received a much smaller 
legacy than his brothers. He appealed to the General Court 
in 1684 for relief, saying that he was " the oldest son by the 
first wife ; ' ' that he had become fully reconciled to his father, 
who approved his marriage to Rev. Mr. Stowe's daughter. 
The court, with the consent of Mrs. Mary (Wells) Gilbert, 
granted him a considerable increase from his father's estate. 
He left no will, and his estate was involved at his death. His 
inventory is found, vol. 6, pp. 96-' 7, Hartford Prob. Records. 

Children recorded in Middletown: 

i. Mary', b. May 18, 1680; living in 1698. 
ii. Jonathan', b. Mar. 31, 1681 ; d. same day. 
iii. MehitabeP, b. Feb. 8, i68i-'2 (sic); not alive in 1698. 
^ iv. John-^, b. June 30, 16S3 ; living in 1698. 

V. Fifth child, b. Feb. 8 ; d. Feb. 27, i684-'5. .;.- "' 



vi. Sixth child, h. Ajir. ii ; d. Apr. 2S, 16.S6. 

vii. Jonathan^, b. , 16.S.S ; 10 years old in i698-'9. 

— viii. NathanieP, b. Dec. 27, 1689. ^ 

ix. Sarah*, b. , 1696? About 3 years old in i69.S-'9. ^AjP . 

X. ? Ebenezer*, b. ; d. Mar. 21, ijiy-S. 

Not mentioned in the distribution of the estate: 

John-' Gilbert (Jonathan^ Jonathan') died in Middletown,' 
shortl)' before 29 Dec, 1729, when adm. on his estate was 
granted to his brother Nathaniel Gilbert. Inventory ^369. 10. i . 
He was ni. and left a minor son, Kleazer, 18 years old in 1728. 

Nathaniel'' Gilbert, Lieutenant, Middletown (Jonathan'', 
Jonathan'), died Apr. 19, 1756; ni. Mar. i, i7i5-'6, Hannah 
Allen [b. Mar. 6, 1699], dau. of Deacon Thomas and Hannah 
(Leek) Allen, of Middletown, who m. May 4, 1698. She d. 
Oct. 15, 1724, at Middletown. 

Ch. recorded Middletown: 

i. Allen*, b. May 17, 171 7. 
ii. Hannah*, b. Sept. 10, 1718. 
iii. Dorathy*, b. May 6. 1721 ; d. Oct. 4, 1743. 
— • iv. Nathaniel*, b. Dec 4, 1723. 

M. (2) Dec. 4, 1726, Elizabeth Prout. Elizabeth, widow 
and relict of Lt. Nathaniel Gilbert, d. Sept. r, 1776, at Mid- 
dletown. 

Children: 

V. Elizabeth*, b. Dec. 15, 1727 ; d. Mar. 9, I727-'S. 

vi. Eunice*, b. Apr. 12, 1730 

vii. Elizabeth*, b. Feb. 15, i728-'9. 

viii. Ebenezer*, b. June 16, 1731. 

Will of Dea. Thomas Allen, of Middletown, dated Dec. i, 
1733 (red. Dec. 3, 1733), vol. 11, p. 325, Hartford Prob. Rec, 
mentions my dau. Hannah Gilbert, deceased; her eldest son, 
Allyn Gilbert, and her son Nathaniel, and dans. Hannah and 
Dorathy. Inventory, ^^2154.8. 4 — a large estate. 

Nathaniel* Gilbert, Jr., Lieutenant, Middletown (Nathaniel', 
Jonathan-, Jonathan') ; m. Dec. 26, 1744, Mary Butler [b. 
July 28. 1726] ; probably dau. Peter and Phoebe (Stow) Butler, 
of Middletown, who were m. Dec. 18, 1723. Peter Butler d. 
Sept. 24, 1732. 



8 

Ch. recorded in Middletown: 

i. Dorathy*, b. Oct. 5, 1745. 
— ii. Butler*, b. Oct. 22, 1747. 
—- iii. NathanieP, b. April 23, 1750. 

iv. Thomas'', b. April i, 1752. 

V. Hannah^, b. June 17, 1754. 

vi. Allen*, b. April 23, 1756. 

vii. Giles'', b. April 21, 1759. 

viii. Molly*, b. Sept. 18, 1764 ; m. Col. Joseph Cornwall, Aug. 11, 1784. 

Nathaniel* Gilbert moved to New Lebanon, N. Y., in Feb- 
ruary, 1785, and on Mar. 22, 1787, was accidentally drowned 
in his own mill pond. Mrs. Mary Butler Gilbert d. Aug. 28, 
1814. 

The epitaph on his tombstone reads as follows: 

" Beneath this stone in peaceful slumber lies, 
Gilbert the just, benevolent and wise. 
His dust shall live and its glad spirit join. 
And rise to life immortal and divine." 

Samuel" Gilbert (Jonathan^), b. about 1663 in Hartford; 

m. Oct. 2, 1684, Mary Rogers, b. in New London, dau. of 
Samuel and Mary (Stanton) of New London, Ct. Samuel 
Rogers, her father, was born in Stratford, Ct., Dec. 12, 1640, 
son of James and Elizabeth (Rowland) Rogers, of Stratford, 
Milford, and New London, Conn. Samuel Rogers married 17 
Nov., 1662 (or 1664), Mary, dau. of Thomas Stanton. Thomas 
Stanton was of New London. His wife was a dau. of the first 
Thomas Lord of Hartford. Samuel Gilbert lived in Hartford, 
on the lands given him by his father's will, from his marriage, 
at the age of 21, until 1707. He was commissioned ensign of 
the train band in Hartford at the October session of the Gen- 
eral Court in 1698. Hartford deeds show that he removed to 
Colchester between Feb. 27 and March 10, 1707. He was 
confirmed captain of the train band at Colchester in May, 
1707. His lands were in the eastern and southern parts of 
Colchester, some in what is now the town of Salem, and in the 
northern parish of New London, now the town of Montville, 
where was the farm Mrs. Mary Gilbert had received from her 
father, Samuel Rogers, in 1698. Deeds at Colchester show 
that he was an inhabitant of Colchester as late as Feb. 3, 1715, 
and probably until 1724. 



9 

Apr. 8, 1724.—" I. Capt. Samuel Gilbert, late of Colchester, 
now of Lyme, to Josepli Otis of Scituate, for /,"27o, all my 
farm of 280 acres in Colchester." The Lyme residence would 
now be in the limits of the present town of vSaleni. 

He died Aug. 5, 1733, aged 70. Mary, his wife, died Sept. 
30, 1756, in gist year. These in.scriptions are printed in N. E. 
Gen. Register, vqI. xii, p. 54. In order to verify them I 
looked these stones out. They are situated in a field a few 
rods east of the house of Mr. Alvah Morgan, of vSalem, Ct. 
They are dislocated and almost illegible from lapse of time, 
being the native gray schist rock of the region. The .stone of 
Capt. Samuel Gilbert seemed to read Aug. 9 instead of Aug. 
5, as .stated above; but as the inscription was almost effaced, 
I would not desire to be positive in statement. With these 
stones was that of Mr. John Gilbert, who died Nov. 22, 1755, 
aged 63 (a son of Capt. Samuel Gilbert), and Daniel Gilbert, 
who d. Oct. 19, 1784, in 82d year (probably a son of Capt. 
Samuel Gilbert) . 

Children of SamueP and Mary (Rogers) Gilbert (probably 
all born in Hartford) : 

i. Jonathan', b. Jan. 25, 1685. 
. ii. Samuel'', b. Feb. 5, i687-'S ; m. Mercy Warner. 

iii NathanieP, b. Sept. 26, 1690 ; lived in New London, Colchester, and 
Coventry, Conn. ; m. Feb. 8, 1720-'!, Marj"^ Bissell (Colchester records). 
Was living in Coventry in 1736, and probably longer. 

iv. John-', b. Apr. 12, 1692 ; d. Nov. 22, 1755, aged 63 ; ni., perhaps, 
Anna Rogers, his cousin, b. Apr. 24, 1698. 

v. Mary', b. Dec. 2, 1696. 

vi. Daniel-', b. 1702 ; d. Oct. 19, 17S4, in 82d year. 

Judge Coit, of New London, tells me that no will of SamueP 
Gilbert is to be found there, where is should be, if there was 
one. He probably made deeds of gift to his sons in his life- 
time. Two such I have found, namely : Colchester Deeds, vol. 
ii. I, Capt. Samuel Gilbert, late of Colchester, now of Lyme, 
New London Co., to son Nathaniel Gilbert, of Colchester, 
Oct. 3, 1720. Same to loving sou John Gilbert, of Lyme, 
Nov. 23, 1727. Probably son Daniel may have liad the home- 
stead. 



10 

Capt. Samuel Gilbert became a resident of lyyme late in life, 
and the town records contain little about him. The only ref- 
erence to be found is the following : September 26, 1723, Gil- 
bert Bant, of Boston, gave a bill of sale to Capt. Samuel Gil- 
bert, of L3'me, of a negro man, Peter, and Jan. 20, i732-'3, 
Samuel Gilbert gave said negro Peter to his son Daniel Gil- 
bert, reserving to himself and his wife the use of the servant 
during their lives. 

SamueF Gilbert (SamueP, Jonathan i'), b. Feb. 5, i687-'8, 
in Hartford; died May i, 1760, in Hebron, Ct. ; m. (date un- 
known, probably about i7o6-'7), Mercy, dau. of Isaac and 
Sarah (Boltwood) Warner, b. Sept. 25, 1685, at Deerfield, 
Mass. She d. at Hebron, Ct., Oct. 13, 1759. SamueP Gil- 
bert settled in Hebron about 171 8. Previous to that date he 
appears to have lived in Colchester, where it is probable that 
most, if not all, of his children were born. 

Children of SamueP and Mercy Gilbert: " . 

i. Lydia*, b. Sept 4, 1707, in Colchester ; d. young. 

ii. Mercy*, b. Oct. 4, 1709, in Colchester; d. young. 

/iii. Samuel*, b. Oct. 16, 1711, in Colchester. 
- ^iv. Sarah*, b. about 1713 ; not recorded ; m. Carter. 

V. John*, b. about 1715 ; not recorded ; m. Abigail . John d. Jan. 

19, 1794 ; she d. Aug. 15, 1796. 
■ — vi. Elisha*, b. Dec. 10, 1717, in Hebron. 

vii. Mary*, b. Aug. 24, 1719, in Hebron ; m. Curtis. 

viii. Hannah*, b. April 8, 1722, in Hebron ; m. Mann. 

ix. Ezra*, b. May 23, 1726, in Hebron. 

X. Mercy*, b. Nov. 17, 1728, in Hebron ; ni. Daniel Dart, Jr. 

xi. Ebenezer*, b. April 9, 1732, in Hebron. 

Andrew' Warner, Cambridge, 1632; Hartford, 1639; Hadley, 
1660; d. Dec. 18, 1684; first wife unknown; m. (2) Esther, 
widow of Thomas Selden, of Hartford. She d. 1693. His 
son, Isaac' Warner, b. about 1645, removed to Northfield and 
back to Deerfield, Mass., where he died in 1690 or 1691. He 
m. May 31, 1666, Sarah, dau. of Robert Boltwood; she m. (2) 
Dec. 20, 1696, Dea. John lyoomis, of Windsor, Ct. Their 
tenth child, Mercy Warner, b. Sept. 25, 1685, m. Samuef Gil- 
bert, of Hebron, Ct. 

The earliest land purchase of Samuel Gilbert in Hebron is 
found in Deeds Book i , p. 225. Nathaniel Dewey, of Lebanon, 



11 

ami JosL'pli Dewey, of Hebron, deeded loo acres in Hebron, 
with dwelling-house and two barns, to vSainuel Ciilbcrt, of 
Hebron; date, Dec. ii, 17 18. The deed was acknowledged 
before Michael Taintor, justice of the peace in Colchester, and 
this marks very closely the date of his settling in Hebron, al- 
though as his son Samuel's birth, Oct. 16, 1711, was in Col- 
chester, perhaps all we can safely say is that he .settled in 
Hebron sometime between 171 1 and 1718, the latter date being 
probabl}' the nearest. 

Wiij. OF Samuel'' Gilbert, of Hkrkon. 

" In the name of God, Amen. Ye 20tli day of Sept. 1754 
I vSamuel Gill)ert of Hebron in the County of Hartford & Col- 
ony of Connecticut in New England, being in Health and in 
perfect mind and memory, Thanks be given to God therefor, 
calling to mind that it is appointed for all men once to Die, 
Do make and ordain this my la.st Will and Testament, tliat is 
to say especially and first of all I give and Recomend my 
Soul inito the Hands of God that gave it and my Body I rec- 
omend to the Earth to be buried in Decent Christian Buryal at 
the Discretion of my Executors, nothing doubting but at the 
General Resurrection I shall Receive the same again By the 
mighty Power of God and as touching Such Worldly I£.state 
wherewith it hath pleased God to Bless me in this Life, I give, 
devi.se & Dispose of the Same in Manner following: 

" Imprimis. I give and bequeath unto Mercj* my Dearly Be- 
loved wife whom I make con.stitute and ordain my Executrix 
of this my last Will and Testament, one third Part of all my 
movable P^state to be at her own Disposall and one Third Part 
of all m}' other estate to Improve all her life Time. 

' ' Item. I give to my well-beloved son ICbenezer Gilbert whom 
I constitute ray executor with my Wife of this my la.st Will 
and Testament, all my Hou.ses and lands and my Part of the 
Mill and m\- Tools belonging to the Mill Excepting the Im- 
provements above written and his Providing for Mercy, my 
wife, all things needful for her Comfort During her life and a 
Decent Christian Buryal at or after her Death and allso I give 
him slough Irons and Chairs. Item. I give unto my son 






12 

Samuel Gilbert my great Bible which he shall not have till his 
mother Deseaseth. Item. I give to my five daughters all my 
movable Estate to be equally divided between them Excepting 
what is given to others in this Will. Item. I give to my son 
Jno, Gilbert out of my movable estate ^5 old Tenor. Item. 
I give to my son Elisha Gilbert all my wearing cloathes. Item. 
I give to my son Ezra Gilbert out of my movable Estate ^5 
old Tenor, and I do hereby utterly Disallow Revoke and Dis- 
annull all and Every other former Testaments or. Wills, lyega- 
cys and Bequests and Executors by me in any way before made, 
willed and bequeathed, Ratifying and Confirming this and no 
other to be my last Will and Testament. In witness whereoff 
I have hereunto set Yi\y Hand & Seal ye Day and Year above 
written. 

"Samuel Gii^bert [seal.] 

" Signed, sealed, published. Pronounced and Declared by said 
Samuel Gilbert as his last Will and Testament in presence of 
us the Subscribers 

"Jon White 

' ' Anne White 

" Anna White Jr." 

" Court of Probate, ss. Hebron, June 16, 1760. Then ye 
above was duly proved. Fully approved. Ordered to be re- 
corded, Ebenezer Gilbert, Executor therein named, accepting 
ye Trust Reposed in him. Teste, Asahel Phelps, clerk prob. 
Inventory, May 22, 1760, was ;^i6i. 13.6," 

This will is found in the records of the East Haddam pro- 
bate district, at Colchester, Conn. It is to be noted that no 
real estate is disposed of in this will. It is probable that 
Samuel Gilbert had provided his sons with farms as they be- 
came of age. Later I shall name a deed whereby he provided 
his son Elisha with a farm in Bolton, and doubtless deeds 
could be found whereby he provided for each of the other 
sons. The names of his daughters and their husbands, not 
mentioned in this will, are supplied from the will of his son 
John* Gilbert, who died 1794, Jan. 19. This will is found 



recorded at Aiidover. Conn. (vSince writing; the last two sen- 
tences I found the record of Samuel (/illjcrt's cliildrcii who 
were born in Hebron.) 
— Elisha* Gilbert (Samuel'', Samuel", Jonatlian'j, b. Dec. lo, 
1717, probably in Hebron, the oldest child of vSamuel'' Gilbert 
recorded in Hebron. He married in Hebron, Oct. 25, 173H, 
Abigail Curtice. Their son Joseph was born in Hebron Dec. 
30, 1739. Klisha* settled in Bolton about 1742, where he 
bought land of John Bissell. (See deed No. i.) He married 
Hannah Adams, dan. of Thomas and Sarah (Collins) Adams, 
b. July 4, 1722, in Colchester. He sold out there in 1749 or 
1750 and removed to the State of New York. 
Children born to them : 

i. Jobn^, b. May 14, 1743, at Bolton, d. young, 
ii. Abigail"', b. Sept. 14, 1744, at Bolton, d. Jan. 25, i74S-'9. 
— iii. Elisha^, b. Feb. 20, i745-'6, at Bolton, d. Jan. 12, 1S23. 
iv. Hannah', b. Aug. 14, 174S, at Bolton. 
V. Abigail\ b. INIarcU 19. 1749 

vi. SaniueP, b. about 1750, in New Lebanon, d. Jan. i, 1816. 
vii. Jolin^, b. Dec. — , 17.S9, in Oblong, N. Y., d. in Upper Canada. 

viii. Benjamin^, b. ■, in New Canaan, N. Y. 

ix. Lydia^, b. . 

X. Polly^ b. . 

Elisha* died in New Lebanon, N. Y., July 23, 1796, in his 
8 1 St year. 

Hannah* died in New Lebanon, N. Y., July 31, 1S06, in 
her 85th year. 

Elisha* Gilbert's land transactions in Bolton : 

1. Vol. ii, p. 360. John Bissell, of Bolton, for ^68 to me 
in hand or secured to be paid by Samuel Gilbord, of Hebron, 
do grant unto Elisha Gilbord, of Bolton, 34 x 4^ acres ; al.so 
lot in Cedar swamp (now Willimantic re.ser\'oir, near Quarry- 
ville), May 28, 1742. 

2. Vol. ii, p. 3S2. Thomas Brooks, of Bolton, for ^36, 
old tenor, to Elisha Gilbert, of Bolton, 10 acres, with "a 
small mantion house standing thereon," Apr. 6, 1744. 

3. Vol. ii, p. 467. Jo.seph Stedman, Jr., of Windsor, for 
^."15, old tenor, to Elisha Gilbert, of Bolton, ro acres. Ma}- 1^, 

1745- 



14 

4- Vol. ii, p. 468. Joseph Haspins for £4.0, old tenor, to 
Elislia Gilbert, of Bolton, Apr. 25, 1746. 

5. Vol. ii, p. 590. Joseph Fitch, of Windsor, to Elisha 
Gilbert, of Bolton, for ;/^io, old tenor, July 10, 1746. 

6. Vol. ii, p. 361. Elisha Gilbert, of Bolton, to Samuel 
Gilbert, Jr., of Hebron (land of No. i), Jan. 18, i743-'4. 

7. Vol. 3, p. 44. Elisha Gilbert, of Bolton, for ^250, old 
tenor, to John Searls, of Windsor, pieces in No. 2 and 3 
above, Aug. 14, 1749. 

Elisha Gilbord's ear-mark is a crop on the near ear, entered 
Aug. 25, 1748, Bolton. Taken up in a suffering condition by 
Elisha Gilbord, of Bolton, a Brown heffer, white on her back, 
& white under her Belly, and white on ye end of her taile, 
two years old & vantage. No mark. Taken up Oct. 10, 1743. 
Entered Oct. 13, 1743. Bolton records. 

Nathaniel' (SamueP, Jonathan'), b. Sept. 26, 1690, in Hart- 
ford. He m. Feb. 8, i72o-'2i, Mary Bissell,* according to 
Colchester records; owned land in Colchester adjoining his 
father's as early as June 26, 1713 ; was of Colchester in 1715 
and 1720, of Coventry in 1725 and 1727. 

Children : 

i. Mary'^, b. Nov. 19, 1721, in Colchester. 

— ii. Samuel*, b. Jan. 31, i723-'4, in Colchester. 
^ iii. Nathaniel*, b. Oct. 3, 1725, in Coventry. 

iv. Lois*, b. Oct. 8, 1727, in Coventry. 

- v. Thomas*, b. Sept. 25, 1731, in Coventry, 
vi. Ebenezer *, b. Aug. 3, 1733, in Coventry, 
vii. Elisha*, b. May 25, 1736, in Coventry. 

All but the two oldest of these children were baptized at 
Bolton, and it is highly probable that the family lived near the 
western line of Coventry and attended church in Bolton, as 
did Thomas Adams and his family. 

_ Nathaniel* Gilbert, Jr., of Coventry, m. June 4, 1747, Han- 
nah Fowler. 

*Mary Bissell, b. Nov. 27, 1701, in Windsor, Conn., dau. of Daniel'' 
(John', John') and Margaret (Dewey) Bissell, of E- Wind.sor. They 
were married 27 Oct., 1692. He d. 9 Dec, 1738. She d. 27 Nov., 1712. 



15 

Ch., recorded Coventry : 

i. lumice, b. Apr. 7. i74iS. 
ii. Hannah, b. Nov. 23, 1751. 
iii. Isaac, b. Jan. 4, 1753. 
iv. Mary, b. Sept. 3, 1755. 
V. Kli/abeth, b. Sept. 25, 1757. 
vi. Anne, b. Apr. 29, 1761. 

— Thomas^ Gilbert (Nathaniel', SamiieP, Jonathan'), m. Nov. 
18, 1757, Rachel Gilbert. 
Ch., recorded Coventry : 

i. Salla, b. Auk. '6, 175- (1758?) • 
ii. Susannah, b. May 24, 1761. 
iii. Irene, b. Aug. 16, 1763. 

. Samuer Gilbert (Nathaniel', etc.), m. Al)igail Oct. 31 
(1745 ?). Date gone. Coventry records. 
Children : 

i. Anne, born Oct. 7 (1746?). Date gone. 

ii. Daniel, b. Feb. 21. i747-'8. Bolton records. 

He removed from Coventry to Bolton in 1747 or '4S. 

Samuel Gilbord's ear-mark reg. Apr. 3, 1749. Vol. 2, p. 608, 
Bolton deeds. John vSearl, of Bolton, to Samuel Gilbord, of 
Coventry, " land in Bolton, with my mantion house," Dec. 8, 
1748. Ibid., p. 612. William Brown, of Bolton, to Samuel 
Gilbert, of Bolton, Feb. 9, i748-'9. 

Pedigree of Hannah Adams, wife of Elisha' Gilbert : 

George' Adams, glover, wife Frances , came to Water- 
town, Mass., in 1645. He sold his land in Watertown Nov. 
4, 1664, and took up his residence in that part of Cambridge 
which is now Lexington. He was a proprietor at Nashua or 
Lancaster as earlj' as Oct. 5, 1647, but appears not to have 
resided there for more than brief intervals, if at all. This is 
not surprising, as Lancaster was a frontier post, expo.sed to 
the inroads of the Indians, for many years. The house-lot 
of Jonas Fairbank in Lancaster had originally belonged to 
George Adams, who.se right fell to the town through his 
inaction and neglect. 

Monday, 6, 12-mo., 1670 (P'eb. 16, 1671, new style), a grant 
of land in Lancaster was made to George and John Adams, 



16 

signed by their marks. George Adams' right was bought by 
Francis Fullam. 

May 28, 1684, George Adams living out of town. His rates 
(z. e., tax), 5 shil. 8 pence, George Adams was killed Oct. 
10, 1696, by a fall of rock, on his farm at Cambridge, accord- 
ing to verdict of coroner's jury. Paige's Cambridge, p. 479 ; 
also records of I/ancaster. 

The date of the death of his wife Frances is not found. She 
survived him. 

The relationship of George Adams to the other early Adamses 
of Massachusetts Bay is not certainly known. It has been 
guessed, however, that he was a nephew of Henry Adams, of 
Braintree (ancestor of President John Adams), and a brother 
of John Adams, of Cambridge. 

Children: 

i. John^, b. Oct. 16, 1645 ; m. Abigail Pinney. ^ 

-ii. George^, b. , 1647; m. (i) Martha FisV 20th Jan., i683-'4 ; 

m. (2) Judith , and had a large family at Cambridge. 

iii. Daniel-, b. about 1652 ; m. 20th Sept., 1677, Mary Pinney, of Wind- 
sor, Ct. ; settled in Simsbiiry, where he had numerous descendants. He 
d. in Simsbur}', Conn., Nov. 7, 1713, aged 61. Mary, his wife, d. middle 
of March, 1715 ; left a will ; had 10 children. 

iv. Joseph''*, b. Mar. 6, 1657. 

V. Mary^, b. . 

vi. Benjamin^, b. ; died Oct. 26, 1672. Lancaster records. 

To Mr. Brainard's report for Mrs. Bloss is added the fol- 
lowing : 

Klisha^ Gilbert, b. Bolton, Conn., Feb'y 20, i745-'6; m. 
Sarah Wheeler, b. Oct. 24, 1749. 

He was a captain in Col. W. B. Whiting's regiment New 
York troops. His commission from Governor Clinton as cap- 
tain therein is dated June 26, 1778, but he held the rank as 
early as Sept. 21, 1776, and commanded his company at the 
battle of Saratoga, September, 1777. His commission as " first 
major," by Governor Clinton, is dated June 13, 1791. He 
died in New Lebanon, N. Y., Jan'y 12, 1823. She died at 
New lycbanon, March 8, 1825, 

Their only child was — 

Elisha^ Gilbert, b. May 25, 1768; m. Feb. 10, 1793, Ellen 
Vanderpoel, b. May 21, 1770, dau. of Abraham and Mary 



\ 



17 

\'an Valkenberg Vanderpoel. He d. Dt-c. 7, 1857. She d. 

July 26, 1834. 

Their children were — 

/ Eliphalet Wheeler', b. Dec. 19, 1793 ; m. Lydia Hale Mon- 
roe, 181 9. 
>!. Sylvester Pool^ b. Sept. 11, 1795; m. Polly Vanderpoel, 

1826. 
■ "-. Sallie, b. July 9, 1797. 

a John Marshall', b. Jan'y 31, 1799; m. Amanda E. Betts, 

Nov. 27, 1822. 

h Horatio Nelson', b. Nov. i. 1800: m. Julia Ami Peirce, 

1826. 

. Polly', b. Oct. 17, 1802. 

7 Elisha', b. June 7, 1805 ; ni. Elizabeth Baldwin. 

^ Da\-id Polk', b. Jan'y 2, 1807 ; m. Maria Spencer, 1832. 
Sarah Ann', b. March 20, 1810 ; m. Erastus Patterson, Oct. 

24, 1832. 

Mrs. Bloss' descent from Jonathan Gilbert is as follows : 
'i. Jonathan Gilbert, b. 161S, d. 1682; m. Mary Wells (2d 
wife), b. 1626, d. 1700. 

2. Their son Samuel, of Hartford and Colchester, b. 1663, 
d. 1733; m. Mary Rogers, of New London, b. 1667, d. 1756. 

3. Their son Samuel, of Hebron, b. in Hartford 1688, d. 
1760; m. Mercy Warner, b. 1685, d. 1759. 

4 Their son Elisha, b. 17 17, d. 1796; m. Hannah Adams, 
b. 1722, d. 1806. 

5. Their son Elisha, b. 1746, d. 1823 ; m. Sarah Wheeler, 
b. 1749, d. 1825. 

6. Their son Elisha, b. 1768, d. 1857 ; ^i. Ellen Vanderpoel, 
b. 1770, d. 1834. 

7. Their son John Marshall, b. 1799, d. 1864 ; m. Amanda 
E. Betts, b. 1799, d. 1857. 

8. Their daughter Sarah, b. 1830 ; m. John B. Bloss (Wash- 
ington, D. C, Oct. 12, 1858), b. 1830. 

The history of the Gilberts of Old England is an interesting 
one, and some of it will be found in J. Wingate Thornton's 
articles in the New England Genealogical Register, vol. 4, p. 
233 et seq: and p. 339 et seq. 






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